Letters to the editor

July 08, 1997

Newspaper buries important stories like Medicare cuts

To the editor:

Congress has finally figured a way to cut Medicare and make it sound good. The story didn't make the headlines, especially in the Herald Mail, although it is important enough to touch every Medicare eligible individual in America.

The Herald Mail put the story on page A2 and dressed it as though it were a gift to the elderly and the working poor. Herald Mail has a tendency to put important items out of sight while their front page covers such items role-playing wargames and winner's in a livability contest.

The Paper's staff must lack the expertise to provide in-depth coverage of important items or it is just a second rate newspaper that can see only items of interest to a few local characters.

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Congressional action to balance the budget through one-hundred and forty billion dollars. Cuts (they termed it savings) from Medicare providers and recipients, hospitals serving the poor and other federal programs is priority news. Why? Once again Congress wants to put the screws to the elderly and veterans.

Folks, you had better wake up and smell the roses. Congress is selling this country down the river of no return.

Why weren't cuts in foreign aid and congressional special-interest addressed for cuts? These two areas could put a large dent in the deficit and balance the budget within a few years. Why must we continue to pour money into Russia, Mexico, India, Iran and others (many of whom are hostile and don't give a damn about the American people).

We have a national debt because Congress does not possess the ability or dedication to serve the American people.

Our American way of life is fading in a quagmire of rising medical costs, outrageous fees for government services, high taxes and free money to foreign and special interest groups. Again, why? The answer is yearly income paid each member of congress. It is time to ask yourself, "Who do they really represent"?

William Peck

Needmore, P.A.

Let me SHARE a measure of truth

To the editor:

In reply to the letter from Roby Hager in the June 21 edition of your paper, please permit me to tell your readers about SHARE (Self-Help and Resource Exchange) is a national network of non-profit organizations dedicated to providing a quality monthly food package for fourteen dollars and two hours of volunteer service. SHARE's aim is to promote volunteer service in our communities by supporting local community groups where all may participate, serve and lead with dignity.

In Maryland, over 12,000 families each month participate in SHARE and return volunteer service to those most in need. A team of people volunteer at each of 260 SHARE sites in Maryland and West Virginia, but only a small number of hours go directly to running a SHARE host site.

While many people come to SHARE who are already volunteering in their communities, SHARE provides a place that encourages volunteer service, where volunteers can be rewarded for this service through a low-cost, high quality food package and meet others who are committed to making a difference.

Does SHARE create new volunteers? Yes. Each month, new participants ask SHARE volunteers where they can help out and SHARE publishes a new list of volunteer opportunities each month in the SHARE newspaper.

No government money supports SHARE; the program is financially self sustaining through the sale of the food packages. The thousands of families who participate each month find great food, great fellowship and the satisfaction of helping themselves by lowering their food costs and making their communities better places to live. SHARE is a force for good all around and I welcome everyone to join the volunteers in your community and give it a try.

Peggy Cronyn

Director, SHARE-Baltimore

Just a squirrel in the nut mines

To the editor:

The world of Dilbert is all around us. There is an office in this area where even the individual coat-hangers were labeled.

I just hope that the act of revealing this information won't result in my being kidnapped by evil squirrels and forced to work as a slave in their nut mines.